Kids give up recess for good cause

Fifth-grade peer leaders at Black River Elementary School get ready to lend a helping hand.

Courtesy photo

Fifth-graders at Black River Elementary School are giving up their recess time to serve others.

Now in its fourth year, the school’s peer leaders program takes aim at a wide array of tasks like helping a teacher with classroom chores and tutoring fellow students.

“Students need the opportunity to learn the importance of serving others,” said fifth grade teacher Michelle Yocum. “I am proud of the students for taking this role seriously. The younger students look up to the peer leaders and see them as great role models. I am honored to be a part of this group of leaders.”

Peer leaders volunteer their time three days a week on average. Besides assisting teachers and other Pirates, the students help organize canned food drives and pick up trash around school campuses twice a year.

To become a peer leader, students go through an application process and must get a recommendation from a teacher. This year, more than 35 applications were submitted.

Fifth-grade peer leaders at Black River Elementary School get ready to lend a helping hand.

https://www.thewellingtonenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2017/10/web1_peer-leaders.jpgFifth-grade peer leaders at Black River Elementary School get ready to lend a helping hand.